Safety and rules
Speed limits for new drivers: what are they?
New drivers have specific limits on some roads in addition to general limits: check how long they apply and the current rule.
During the first three years after obtaining a category B licence, a new driver must not exceed 100 km/h on motorways or 90 km/h on main rural roads. These limits are separate from lower limits shown on signs.
Special limits and the road’s speed limit
Anyone who has recently obtained a category B licence must obey both the signed general limits and the specific speed limits for new drivers under Article 117 of the Highway Code. The rule concerns maximum speeds on certain road types and applies for the period set by law. Do not rely only on a figure seen in a quiz: the law may change, so check the current wording and the date the licence was obtained.
In all cases, a personal limit does not authorise you to exceed a lower local limit. If a sign, roadworks or weather conditions require you to slow down, the immediate conditions take precedence. A permitted speed and a suitable speed are different things: rain, visibility, traffic and grip may require you to drive more slowly. Avoid setting cruise control to the legal maximum when the road or conditions are unsuitable.
The special limit runs from the date category B was obtained. If a sign sets a lower speed, that limit takes precedence; in rain, the lower general limits provided for by the Code also apply. The speed rule lasts three years even for category B licences obtained before 14 December 2024, although the power limits for those licences last one year.
- Check the date the licence was obtained and its category.
- Always follow the more restrictive of the legal limit and the signed limit.
- Adjust your speed to visibility, the road surface and traffic.
How to check the current rule
Consult Article 117 in its current form on Normattiva and the MIT page on new-driver limits. Watch out for search results pointing to earlier versions: thresholds and duration can change by law. If your licence issue date is close to a change taking effect, check the transitional provisions with the Motorizzazione.
Speed restrictions must not be confused with vehicle power limits. They are separate requirements and may apply during the same period. To check whether a specific car may be driven, use the Portale dell’Automobilista registration-number service; for speed, consult the current text of Article 117.
A prudent choice
If you are driving in another country, remember that new-driver rules may differ: check local law and general limits before travelling. In Italy, take particular care on rural roads and at night, when judging distances is harder. You may need to drive more slowly even when the law allows a higher speed. Slowing down early is safer than correcting your course too late.
Quiz Patente Ufficiale offers study chapters, timed exam quizzes and review of mistakes to revise speed limits and other rules.
Frequently asked questions
What speed limits apply to a new driver?
For the first three years after obtaining a category B licence: a maximum of 100 km/h on motorways and 90 km/h on main rural roads. If signs or weather conditions require a lower speed, you must follow that limit.
How long do the specific limits apply?
Check the duration in the current Article 117, taking into account the date the licence was obtained.